MODULE 3

PERFORM BASIC MEASUREMENT &

CALCULATION
Different Drafting Tools/Equipment & their application in
measuring.

Measuring tools in technical drawing are essential for ensuring accuracy, precision, and
consistency when creating detailed representations of objects or structures. Their primary
purposes include:

1. Accurate Dimensions: They help in achieving correct measurements, ensuring that drawings
are to scale and match real-world dimensions, especially in engineering and architectural
designs.

2. Precision: Measuring tools aid in producing precise line lengths, angles, and shapes, which
are critical in maintaining the integrity of technical drawings.

3. Consistency: They ensure that all parts of a drawing follow the same measurement system,
maintaining uniformity across different sections of the design.
4. Scaling: Measuring tools like scales allow for the creation of scaled-down or scaled-up
versions of objects, making it easier to represent large structures on smaller surfaces.

5. Communication: They enhance communication between designers, engineers, and

manufacturers by ensuring that drawings convey the correct dimensions and proportions for
production or construction.
 Common tools used for measuring in technical
drawings include:
RULER
A basic tool for measuring straight lines and lengths. Typically marked in metric
(millimeters, centimeters) or imperial (inches) units.

T-SQUARE
Used primarily for drawing horizontal lines, a T-square also helps in measuring straight
angles along a drawing board.

SCALE
specialized ruler used for measuring and drawing to scale, including architectural
scales (used for building designs) and engineering scales (used for mechanical designs).
PROTRACTOR
Used for measuring and drawing angles, commonly available in 180° and 360° varieties.

CALIPERS
Precision tools for measuring internal and external distances between points, often
used for mechanical or industrial drawings.

Compass
Used for drawing and measuring circles and arcs, with its size adjustable to measure
different radii.

DIVIDERS
Similar to a compass, dividers are used to measure distances between points on a
drawing by comparing dimensions.
FRENCH CURVE
A template used for drawing smooth curves that are difficult to achieve with a compass
or freehand.

SET OF SQUARES or TRIANGLES

These triangular tools are used to measure and draw specific angles (usually 45°, 60°, or
30°) for precise angular measurements.

DIGITAL MEASURING TOOLS

Devices like digital calipers or micrometers, which provide highly precise measurements
and are often used in conjunction with CAD software for advanced drawings.

Each of these tools serves a specific purpose in maintaining accuracy and precision in
technical drawings.
Conversion Fraction to Decimal & Vice
Versa
 Fraction to Decimal Conversion
To convert a fraction to decimal, you may simply divide the numerator
by the denominator. For example, how do you convert 1/4 into
fractions.

Solution: 1/4 = 1÷4

= 0.25
1/4 = 0.25

Therefore, 1/4 when converted into decimal is 0.25.

Some fractions do not have exact value when converted into
decimal. For example, 1/3 when converted into decimal would be
solved as follows:

Solution: 1/3 = 1÷3

= 0.333

As the decimal value is repeating and non-terminating, rounding it

off to at least two-digit decimal is necessary. Refer to the rules
given below for rounding off numbers.
 Decimal to Fraction Conversion

To convert a decimal into a fraction, you should count the number

of decimal places from the decimal point to the right of the
number. If there is one decimal place, put the number with 10 as
its denominator. If there are two decimal places, put 100 as its
denominator. The number of decimal places determines the
number of zeros in its denominator. Reduce the fraction to its
lowest form.
0.50 to be converted into fraction. There are two decimal places from
the decimal point (0.50), thus there must be two zeros on its
denominator.

Solution: 0.50 50/100; reducing it to its lowest term, 1/2.

Therefore, 0.50 is equal to 1/2 in fraction form.

If you are making drawings and you are using scales with the most commonly used
fractions and decimal equivalents, you may just refer to the table below for easy
conversion of values.

FRACTION DIVISION
1/2 0.50
1/3 0.33
1/4 0.25
3/4 0.75
1/5 0.20
2/5 0.40
3/5 0.60
4/5 0.80
1/8 0.215
3/8 0.375
1/10 0.10
Rules for Rounding Off Numbers

1. If the number next to the digit to be rounded off is less than 5, the
digit should be unchanged. For example, round off 1.243 to the
nearest hundredths. 1.243 would be 1.24 since the digit to be
rounded off, which is 4, is followed by 3 and 3 is less than 5.
2. If the number next to the digit to be rounded off is greater than 5,
the digit must be increased by 1. Example, round off 1.246 to the
nearest hundredths. 1.246 would be 1.25 since the number to be
rounded off, which is 4, is followed by 6 and 6 is greater than 5, 1
is added to 4; hence it becomes 5.
Rules for Rounding Off Numbers

3. If the number next to the digit to be rounded off is 5 and the numbers
following it are zeros or if there is no other number following it, the
digit must be unchanged if the last digit is even. For example,
1.24500, is to be rounded off to the nearest hundredths, it would
become 1.24 since the digit to be rounded off, which is 4, is followed
by 5 and five is followed by zeros, and, 4 is an even number. Another
example is 1.485. If it were rounded off to the nearest hundredths, it
would become 1.48 since the 8 which is the number to be rounded
off is followed by 5 and no other number follows five and is also
because 8 is an even number.
 Rules for Rounding Off Numbers
4. If the number next to the digit to be rounded off is 5 and the numbers following 5 are zeros
or no number follows five and the last digit is an odd number, then the digit to be rounded
off must be increased by 1. For example, round off 1.475 to the nearest hundredths. 1.475
would be 1.48 since 7, which is the digit to be rounded off is followed by 5 and no number
follows five and since 7 is an odd number, 7 would be increased by 1 thus making it to be
8.

5. If the number to be rounded off is followed by 5 and five is followed by any number except
for zero, then the digit to be rounded off must be increased by 1. For example, 1.4652
rounded off to the nearest hundredths, would become 1.47 since 6, which is the number
to be rounded off is followed by 5 and 5 is followed by a number which is not zero.
These rules for rounding off number also apply even if the required
number of decimals to be retained is not two. For example, if the given
number is 1.6500, and only one digit decimal is required, or the number
is to be rounded off to the nearest tenths, then it should become 1.6
since rule # 3 applies. 6 is followed by 5 and 5 is followed by Os and 6 is
an even number, thus 6 retains its value.
These rules of rounding off numbers make 0.333..., answer on Example
number 2 above, 0.33 if two-digit decimals are required. It has been such
since the number to be rounded off is followed by a number less than 5.
For this, rule #1 applies.
 Converting English to Metric
Measurement System & vice versa
 English System of Measurement
English system of measurement is a standard system based on inch, pound and Fahrenheit
degrees. It is primarily used in the United States and England. Most used units in English
system are abbreviated as follows:

Inch - in
foot - ft
Yard - yd
miles - mi
Reading a
division of an
inch
 Metric System of Measurement
Metric system, on the other hand, is a system of weights and measures that was planned and
adopted in France in 1799. It is a system based on a unit of length called a meter and a mass
unit called kilogram. Fractions and multiples of metric unit are related to each other by powers
of 10. Most used units in metric system are abbreviated as follows:

Millimeters - mm
Centimeters - cm
Decimeter - dm
Meter - m
Dekameter - dam
Hectometer - hm
Kilometer - km
Reading a division of a centimeter
Converting English to Metric Measurement Unit
& Vice Versa
ENGLISH METRIC METRIC ENGLISH
Inches (in) x 2.54 = Centimeters Centimeters (cm) x 0.39 = inches
Feet (ft) x 0.3 = Meters Meters (m) x 3.3 = feet
Yards (yd) x 0.9 = Meters Meters (m) x 1.1 = yards
Miles (mi) x 1.6 = Kilometers Kilometers (km) x 0.6 = miles
Square inches (in²) x 6.5 = Centimeters2 Square Centimeters (cm²) x 0.2 = Inches2
Square feet (ft²) x 0.1 = Meters2 Square meters (m²) x 10.8 = feet2
Square yards (yd²) x 0.8 = Meters2 Square meters (m²) x 1.2 = yards²
Acres x 0.4 = Hectares Hectares (ha) x 2.5 = acres
Cubic feet (ft³) x 0.03 = Meters3 Cubic meters (m3) x 35.3 = feet3
There are also instances when the unit of measurement in metric system needs to be
converted to another unit of measurement in the same system. Below are some of the most
commonly used Metric to Metric and English to English equivalents.
Metric to Metric
10 millimeters = 1 centimeter
10 centimeters = 1 decimeter
10 decimeters = 1 meter
10 meters = 1 decameter
10 decameters = 1 kilometer

English to English
12 inches = 1 foot
36 inches or 3 feet = 1 yard
1760 yards or 5280 feet = 1 mile